Sling protector



June 6, 1950 H. ANDERSEN 2,510,674

SLING PROTECTOR Filed- Dec. 4,19?

Mg-gym Patented June 6,1950

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Hans Andersen, Detroit, Mich.

Application December 4, 1947, Serial No. 789,719

17 Claims.

This invention relates to protectors for rope slings and more particularly to sling protectors adapted to protect both a load being lifted as well as the sling rope from damage or gouging being inexpensive to manufacture; to provide a sling protector of the aforementioned type which will engage the corners of a load being lifted by the sling so as to protect both the load and the sling rope from damage or gouging; to provide a sling protector of the aforementioned type which may be easily adjusted along the length of the sling for properly engaging various sizes and types of loads being lifted.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is 'a front elevatlonal view of a sling, employing sling protectors of this invention, lifting a load;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 within the circle designated 2 thereon;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2 taken in the direction of the arrow 3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the protector illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2, taken along the line 5--5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portion of thestructure illustrated in Fig. 1 within the circle designated 6 thereon;

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6 taken in the direction of the arrow 1 thereof;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the protector illustrated in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 8, taken along the line 9-3 thereof.

Referring now to the drawing and more par- 55 ticularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that, for purposes of illustration, a sling, generally indicated at H, and comprising a single wire rope l3, such as wire, hemp, plastic, or the like, has its intermediate portion encompassing a load, such as a heavy gauge steel load, a box, or carton IS. The free ends of the sling are connected to a conventional crane hook I! for lifting the sling and load in a. conventional manner. One pair of sling protectors generally indicated at l9, are disposed on the sling so as to engage the lower corners of the box i5, and a second pair of sling protectors, generally indicated at 2|, are disposed on the sling ll so as to engage the upper corners of the box 15. The sling protectors l9 and 2|, as will hereinafter appear, protect both the corners of the box l5, as well as the portions of the sling rope |3 which would normally engage the corners of the box, so as to prevent an'g gouging, chafing, or wearing of both the box and rope. tectors I9 and 2|, while of somewhat different construction, can both be easily attached to, or detached from, the sling, and can be easily adjusted along the length of the sling so as to accommodate various sizes and types of boxes or loads.

One of the protectors I9 is illustrated in'detail in Figs. 2 through 5 wherein it will be seen that each protector I9 includes a pair of generally L- shaped mateable parts 23 and 25. The part 23 is formed with leg portions 21 and 29, which are disposed at right angles with respect to each other, and each of which has a, substantially flat inner face 3|. The remote ends of each of the leg' portions 21 and 29 are formed with outturned flange portions 33 and 35 respectively. The part 23 isprovided with a continuous central slot 31 which extends axially and centrally through both of the leg portions 21 and 29 and into the flange portions 33 and 35 to a point adjacent the outer edge of each.

The part 25 of the protector I9 is formed with leg portions 39 and 4| which extend at right angles with respect to each other in the same manner as the leg portions of the part 23. The legs 39 and 4| are of such a length as to fit between the inner faces of the flange portions 33 and 35 of the part23 when the part 25 is mated with the part 23, as will be hereinafter described. The inner face of the part 25, that is of the legs 39 and 4| thereof, is formed with a continuous axially extending, inwardly projecting, central tongue 43 which is adapted to be received in that portion of the slot 31 of part 23 which is embraced by the leg portions 21 and-29 thereof. The outer The proface of the part 25 is provided-with a continuous, axially extending, central groove 45 which is adapted to receive and embrace a portion of the sling rope l3 in a manner which will be hereinafter described.

In order to insert each of the protectors |9 on a, portion of the sling rope l3, the portion of the rope to which it is desired to attach the protector is looped, such as illustrated in Fig. 4, at 41, and th looped rope portion 41 is inserted through the slot 31 in the part 23, from the inside out. The opposite ends of the loop portion 41 (Fig. 4) are then embraced in the portions of the slot 31 disposed in each of the flange portions 33 and. 35. The protector part 25 is then inserted between the inner face of the loop portion 41 of th rope and the outer face of the protector part 23 so that the inner face of the loop portion 41 is at least partially confined and embraced in the groove 45 in the outer fac of the protector part 25. The protector parts 23 and 25 are then moved toward each other so that the L-shaped tongue 43 of the part 25 is disposed within the L-shaped portion of the slot 31, in the leg portions 21 and 29. The remote ends of the leg portions 39 and 4| of the part 25 are then confined between the inner faces of the flange portions 33 and 35 of part 23, and the inner fac of the part 25 abuts the outer face of the part 23. In this wa the rope sling portion 41 is confined within the protector l9 and both of the protector parts 23 and 25 are releasably held on the sling The protectors l9 can be adjusted along the sling so that the inner faces of the legs 21 and 29 thereof will engage the corners of the box l5, or other load, which is being lifted. However, due to the fact that the rope is bent at right angles as it extends through the protectors, the protectors will not freely slide along the rope, but they may be manually adjusted along the rope in an easy manner. The protectors |9 may be easily removed from the rope by merely pulling the part 25 away from the part 23 and then first removing the part 25 from the rope and then sliding the part 23 outwardly of! of the rope.

It will thus be seen that th protectors |9 may be very easily attached or detached to the rope of the sling H and that they will engage the corners of the box l5, or other similar load, so as to prevent engagement of the rope l3 and the corners of the box, which would tend to cause gouging, wearing, chafing, or other damage to either the box or the rope. It will also be appreci-ated that the rope I 3 will hold the protectors l9 on the sling against accidental disengagement, due to the construction above described.

The protectors 2|, which are shown in Fig. 1 engaging the upper corners of the box |5, are illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 through 9 wherein it will be seen that each protector 2| comprise two mateable parts and 53. The part 5| includes a pair of parallel leg portions 55 and 51 separated by a slot or space 58. The inner faces of the leg portions are substantially flat, parallel and aligned so as to be adapted to fully engag one face of the box l5. A head portion 59 is formed on the upper end of the leg portions 55 and 51 so as to rigidly and fixedly interconnect the leg portions. The head portion 59 is axially slotted at 6|, in alignment with the slot or space 58 between the leg portions, so that a continuous slotlike opening is provided between the leg portions 55 and 51 and through th head 59. The head portion 59 is formed with a transversely outwardly overhanging projection 33 and a bifurcated inwardly overhanging projection 65, which overhangs the inner faces of the leg portions 55 and 51 so as to form a corner therewith. The corner formed between the head projection 65 and the inner faces of the leg portions 55 and 51, is adapted, as can be seen in Fig. 1, to engage the upper corner of the box l5 so as to protect the latter as previously described.

The lower ends of the leg portions 55 and 51 are rigidly and fixedly interconnected by a lower head or base portion 61. The base portion 51 is axially slotted at 59 in alignment with the slot or space 58 between the leg portions and the slot 5| in the head portion so that a continuous slot is provided between the leg portions 55 and 51 and through th head and base portions 59 and 61. The base portion 61 is formed with an outwardly extending projection 13, which is directly below the projection 53 of the head portion. The upper face of the base projection 10 is notched or cutback at 1|, adjacent the outer faces of the leg portions 55 and 51, and transversely slotted at 13 for reasons which will hereinafter appear.

The other protector part 53 is adapted to mate with the part 5| and to be received between the upper face of the base portion 81 and the lower face of the head portion 59, of the part 5|. The inner face of the part 53 is formed with an inwardly projecting tongue 11 which is adapted to be received in the slot or space 58 between the leg portions 55 and 51 of the part 5|. The upper end of the tongue 11 projects arcuately above and inwardly of the main portion of the part 53, at 19. The arcuate tongue portion 19 is adapted to be received in the slot 6| of the head portion 59 of the part 5|. The tongu portion 19 is so shaped that when the part 53 is mated with the part 5| the extreme inner end of the tongue portion 19 will be disposed in, and flush with the end of the bifurcated head projection 55 of the part 5|.

The outer face of the part 53 and the tongue portion 19 are provided with an axially extending groove 8| which is adapted to receive and partially embrace a portion of the rope l3, as will herein-after appear. The inner face of the part 53, when the parts 5| and 53 are assembled, will abut the outer face of the leg portions 55 and 51, and the lower end of the part 53 will be disposed in the notch 1| in the upper face of the base portion 61 of the part 5|, so as to prevent the lower ,endof the part 53 from accidentally swinging out of mating relationship with th part 5|.

In order to connect each of the protectors 2| to its sling rope I3, the rope is looped as indicated at 83, in much the same manner as with the other protectors I9, and the looped rope portion 83 is inserted between the leg portions 55 and 51 of the part 5| from the inside out. The protector part 53 is then inserted between the outer face of the part 5| and the inner face of the rope loop portion 83, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 6. That is, the arcuate tongue portion 19 is inserted into the slot 5| in the head portion 59 of the part 5|, and the inner face of the rope portion 83 is disposed in the groove 8| in the outer face of the protector part 53. The protector part 53 is then pivoted about its forward end, that is, the point where the front edge of the inner face of the part 53 engages the upper ends of'the leg portions 55 and 51 of the part 5|, toward the member 53 and the rope loop is pulled tight against the part 53' so as to cause it to seat against the leg portions 55 and 51, between the head portion 59 and base portion 61, of the part The tongue 11 of the part 53 i then disposed in. the slot or space 58 between the leg portions. The rope then extends axially through the slot 5| in the head portion 59, along the groove 8| in the outer face of the member 53, and through the slot 89 in the base portion 61. The transverse slot 13 in the base projection III is sized so as to receive the lower end of the rope loop 83 during the connecting operation, and permit the lower end of the member 53 to pivot downwardly into the notch 1| in the lower end of the base portion 61 before the rope is tightened up. That is, the slot 13 in the base portion 61 is provided in order to permit the member 53 to pivot into its mating relationship with the member 5| without interference with the rope loop portion 83. The rope l3 will hold the lower end of the member 53 in the notch H in the base portion 51 and therefore the rope portion 83 is substantially confined within the protector 2|, and the protector parts 5| and 53 are releasably held on the rope and cannot become accidentally disengaged therefrom.

In order to remove the part 53 from the part 5| and thereby disconnect the protector 2| from the rope, the rope is looped outwardly through the slot 13 in the base portion of. the part 5|. The lower end of the part 53' can then be moved out of the notch 1| and pivoted away from the part 5|. The rope loop is made large enough to permit the complete withdrawal of the part 53 from the part 5|. After its disengagement from the part 53, the part 5| can be quickly removed from the rope IS. The part 5| then may be pulled outwardly off of the loop 83 and the protector is then completely disconnected from the sling.

It will be noted that with the protector 2| the rope I3 is not bent at right angles, as with the protector I9, and therefore the protectors 2| may be easily slid upwardly or downwardly along the rope l3, even after the sling has been in use for a long period of time. The protectors 2| are therefore easily adjustable to compensate for various sizes and types of loads or boxes |5, for which the sling and protectors may be used.

It will thus be seen that two embodiments of sling protectors are provided, each of which is.

best adapted for its own particular use. For example, the L-shaped protectors I! are best suited for supporting the lower portion of the box l5, in that the load is at least partially carried by the protectors and the rope extends outwardly from each leg portion of the protector in a substantially straight path, parallel to the leg portions of the protector. However, at the upper corners of the box, where no direct lifting occurs the rope will extend from the upper end of each protector at various angles, depending on the size and shape of the load, and the construction of the protectors 2| permits the rope to extend at any desired angle while the overhanging head projections 65 of the protectors 2| will sufiiciently protect the corners of the box, as well as the cable.

I claim:

l. A sling protector including two parts, one of said parts being insertable over and adapted to at least partially receive a loop portion of a sling, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between the loop portion of the sling and said first part so as to mate with said first part and releasably hold both of said protector parts of said sling.

6 2. A sling protector including two parts, one

of said parts being constructed so as to be insertable over a loop portion of a sling and having openings adjacent the opposite ends thereof so that the opposite ends of said sling, loop portion will project outwardly through said openings, the other of said protector parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said loop portion and being constructed as to at least partially embrace the inner face of said loop portion and so as to mate with said first part and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said sling.

3. A sling protector including two parts, one of said parts having a slot therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said parts having a slot therein adapted to embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said protector parts being constructed so as to mate with each other and thereby be releasably held on said sling.

4. A sling protector including two parts, one of said parts having slot means therein to permit the insertion of said first part over a loop portion of a sling, the other of said protector parts being adapted to be disposed between said first protector part and the inner face of said cable and being so constructed as to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling and so as to mate with said first part to thereby releasably hold both of said parts on said sling and permit said entire protector to be moved along said sling without disengagement of the parts thereof.

5. A sling protector including two parts, one of said parts being insertable over a portion of a sling and having end openings through which the opposite ends of the inserted portion of said sling are adapted to extend, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said inserted sling portion, said protector parts being formed with complemental mating portions whereby said protector parts may mate with each other and embrace a portion of said sling so as to releasably hold both of said parts on said sling.

6. A sling protector including two parts, one

of said parts being insertable over a portion of a sling and having end openings through which the opposite ends of the inserted portion of said sling' are adapted to extend, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said inserted sling portion, saidprotector parts being formed with complemental mating portions whereby said protector parts may mate with each other and embrace a portion of said sling so as to releasably hold both of said parts on said sling, aid first part being constructed so as to have a portion thereof engageable with a load adapted to be lifted by said sling whereby the inserted portion of said sling is confined within said protector so as to be out of engagement with the load to be lifted.

'7. A sling protector including two parts, one of said parts having a slot therein through which a loop of a sling may be inserted, the other of said parts having slot means therein adapted to embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said second part having a tongue thereon engageable in said first part slot so as to subsaid protector and releasably hold both of said I protector parts on said sling.

8. A sling protector including a pair of L- shaped mateable parts, one of said parts having slot means therein through which a portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said'sling portion and having slot means therein adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling portion, whereby when said protector parts are in a mating relation both of said parts are releasably held on and substantially confine said sling portion.

9. A sling protector including a pair of L- shaped mateable parts, one of said parts having a slot therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said sling loop portion and having slot means therein adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said second part having tongue means thereon adapted to mate with said first part slot so that said sling portion will be substantially confined within said protector and both of said protector parts will be releasably held on said sling.

10. In combination, a sling for lifting a load including a strand of rope, a protector for said sling adapted to engage one corner of said load and prevent a portion of said sling from engaging said load, said protector including two parts, one of said parts being insertable over a loop portion of said sling, the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first part and the inner face of said sling loop portion and constructed so as to mate with said first part so as to substantially confine said rope portion and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said rope.

11. In combination, a sling adapted to lift a load and including a strand of rope; a protector for said sling adapted to engage a corner of said load and prevent said rope from engaging said load corner, said protector including two parts, one of said parts having slot means therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said protector parts being adapted to be disposed between said first protector part and the inner face of said sling loop portion and having slot means therein adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said protector parts being constructed so as to mate with each other.

and substantially confine a portion of said rope and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said rope.

12. A sling protector including a pair of generally L-shaped mateable parts, one of said parts having the inner face thereof adapted to engage the corner of a load adapted to be lifted by said sling, said first part having a slot therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted,

the other of said parts being adapted to be disposed between said first protector part and the inner face of said sling and having slot means therein adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said protector parts being constructed so as to mate with each other and substantially confine said sling portion and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said sling.

13. A sling protector including a pair of L- shaped matable parts, one of said parts having the inner face thereof adapted to engage the corner of the load adapted to be lifted by said sling, said part being provided with outwardly directing flanges at the opposite ends of the legs of the L portions thereof, said one part having a continuous slot therein extending axially of said L portions and into said opposed flanges to a point adjacent the outer ends thereof, said second protector part being adapted to be disposed between the outer face of said first protector part and the inner face of said sling loop portion and having slot means in the outer facethereof adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, tongue means formed on the inner face of the L portion of said second protector part adapted to be received in the slot portion of said first protector L portion whereby said parts may be mated so as to substantially confine said sling portion and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said sling.

14. A sling protector including a pair of mateable parts, one of said parts having a substantially flat inner face adapted to engage one side of a load which may be lifted by said sling, said one part having an overhanging flange projectinging inwardly from the inner face of said part and adapted to form a corner therewith so as to be engageable with the corner of a load to be lifted, said one part having slot means therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said protector parts being insertable between said first protector part and the inner face of said sling loop portion and having a portion thereof receivable in a. portion of the slot means of said first art whereby said protector parts may mate with one another so as to substantially confine a portion of said sling and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said sling. 15. A sling protector including a pair of mateable parts, one of said parts having a. substantially flat inner face, an overhanging flange projecting inwardly from one end of said fiat face adapted to form a corner therewith which is engageable with the corner of a load which may be lifted by said sling, said one protector part being insertable over a loop portion of a sling, the other of said protector parts being adapted to receive the loop portion of said sling and mate with said first part so as to substantially confine a. portion of said sling and releasably hold both of said protector parts on said sling.

16. A sling protector including a pair of mateable parts, one of said parts having a substantially flat inner face and an overhanging flange projecting inwardly from said inner face and forming a corner therewith, said one protector part having slot means therein through which a loop portion of a sling may be inserted, the other of said protector parts being adapted to be disposed between said first protector part on the inner face of said sling loop portion and having slot means therein adapted to at least partially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said protector parts being constructed so as to mate with each other and be releasably held against axial movement relative to each other when so mated, whereby to substantially confine said sling portion and hold both of said protective parts on said sling.

17. A sling protector including a pair of mateable parts, one of said parts having a substantially fiat inner face and an inwardly projecting flange at one end thereof forming a corner therewith, said one protector part having an axially extending slot therethrough through which a 0 looped portion of said sling may be inserted whereby the opposite ends of said sling loop portion may project through the opposite ends of said slot, the other of said protector parts being adapted to be disposed between said first protector part and the inner face of said sling and having slot means in the outer face thereof adapted to substantially embrace the inner face of said sling loop portion, said second member having a tongue thereon adapted to be received in a portion of said first member slot whereby said protector parts may be mated with each other, said members being so constructed that when the parts are mated with each other there 10 will be no axial movement therebetween, whereby said sling portion will be substantially confined in sliding engagement within said protector and said protector part will be releasably held on HANS ANDERSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 5 said sling.

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